Chapter 20

“Ah, do you really want to continue our married life to this extent?”

“…Yes?”

After a moment of silence, Opal was taken aback by Hubert’s words.

Then, she burst out laughing.

The idea was so absurd that she couldn’t stop laughing.

Hubert and Lady Northam looked at her in surprise.

Opal managed to control her laughter, took several deep breaths, and finally spoke.

“I’m sorry. Your words were so unexpected… To be honest, since the beginning of our marriage, I have been thinking about how to get a divorce from you. However, I didn’t reconsider it because I had any lingering attachment to you or the title of duchess. To be blunt, I don’t really care about this house either.”

As she spoke, Opal glanced at Romit and Beth.

Romit was sweating despite the lack of heat, and Beth’s eyes were vacant, her face pale.

“I just feel sorry for the innocent citizens—those whom you have never cared about. When I arrived at the duchy, the citizens were living in much poorer conditions compared to the earldom. This is due to Omar’s negligent management, whom you trusted. In the past ten years, agricultural tools have become much more convenient, but the workers are still using outdated tools, causing unnecessary hardship. Therefore, I plan to live in the manor and manage the estate properly. If you want to continue our married life, please stay in this house.”

Opal told Hubert, who was blushing with either shame or anger.

Then, she turned to Lady Northam with a deliberately kind smile.

“I will allow Lady Northam to live here with her daughter. Of course, you are free to leave or stay.”

“What kind of woman are you…? Stella is sick!?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m saying you can stay here as a lodger.”

Opal thought she was being cold, but she hardened her heart and clearly stated the reality—her position in this house from now on.

Of course, if Hubert and Lady Northam decided to leave, she intended to provide them with the minimum living assistance. She also planned to give the servants letters of recommendation.

“I have nowhere to go if I’m driven out of here… But I’m fine. Just let Stella… Let Stella stay here!”

Lady Northam, tears streaming down her face, seemed to evoke sympathy from everyone.

Opal was exasperated but didn’t say anything.

Hubert stood up and shielded Lady Northam from Opal.

“We will… stay here for Stella. It’s unimaginable to take Stella anywhere else. So please, have mercy on us.”

Hubert pleaded as if he was willing to sacrifice himself to protect Stella, like offering his neck to an enemy.

Romit, the housekeeper, and Beth were all in tears, watching the scene.

Opal felt as if she was watching a cheap melodrama.

“So, I’m saying that if you want to stay here, it’s fine, right? However, there are conditions.”

Finally, Opal could get to the point and sighed in relief.

However, Hubert and Lady Northam looked as if they were being asked to offer their heads.

Opal continued, despite the hesitation she felt.

“Dr. Harrison, the family doctor of the duchy, seems to be quite old. Stella will be examined by another doctor.”

“What are you saying!? Dr. Harrison has been treating Stella since she was a child! No other doctor understands Stella as well as Dr. Harrison!”

Lady Northam snapped at Opal’s condition.

It seemed almost like a lie that she had been mourning just moments ago. Opal’s heart softened slightly at the sight of a mother trying to protect her daughter, but she had no intention of changing her mind.

“Even so, she will be examined. I’m not firing Dr. Harrison. Medicine has advanced significantly. However, I’ve heard that some doctors, clinging to old treatment methods, have failed to save lives that could have been saved. I will choose the doctor, so please rest assured. Perhaps a doctor recommended by your friends can be trusted?”

Opal looked at Hubert, who narrowed his eyes suspiciously, as if trying to gauge her true intentions.

“Of course, I will cover the medical expenses. Also, if you intend to stay here, I will pay you a salary that matches your work.”

When Opal announced this to the servants, who were standing anxiously, a few murmured, “That’s good…” but quickly fell silent when Romit glared at them.

“Then, you can leave now. Decide what you will do within five days.”

Opal declared confidently, and Romit and the others hesitated for a moment before bowing and leaving.

Only Opal, Hubert, and Lady Northam remained in the living room.

“Now, let’s discuss other matters.”

“Is there more?”

“Wouldn’t it be strange if there wasn’t? How much money do you think we need to live? We are in a privileged position, but money doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Think about how much money has been wasted because you did nothing. If the money Omar gambled away had been used to pay off your debts, you wouldn’t have needed to marry me, and the citizens could have been helped.”

Hubert fell silent at Opal’s words.

His expression was stern, but it wasn’t directed at Opal.

He was probably regretting the past.

Opal almost felt a twinge of sympathy but quickly steeled herself.

Hubert was not a child who had just lost his parents but a 26-year-old adult.

He needed to show some backbone.

“As I mentioned earlier, this house is now mine, so I will pay the servants and maintenance costs. I will also cover your living expenses—food, clothing, and medical expenses. Additionally, as a duke, you will need money for socializing, so I will give you a substantial allowance.”

“…An allowance?”

“Would ‘pocket money’ be a better term?”

“Are you mocking me?”

“I apologize. I didn’t know how to express giving money to someone who has none… ‘Granting’ seems too condescending… We are, after all, still married, even if all the assets are mine and not shared.”

Opal’s choice of words made it sound like she was keeping a mistress or dealing with a child.

Hubert’s expression became even more humiliated.

Lady Northam, unable to bear the situation, shifted in her seat, looking at the door nervously.

However, Hubert seemed to be enduring, clenching his fists tightly.

“You can use the money I give you however you like. Whether you want to play at a gentleman’s club, visit a brothel, or keep a mistress.”

“Lady!”

Lady Northam reprimanded Opal, who had used inappropriate words for a lady, as if she might faint.

Opal, noting that she had been called “Lady” by Lady Northam for the first time, smiled calmly.

“What can I do? I am your wife in name only. Our relationship will not change, so I have no intention of blaming or making a fuss over your infidelity. However, we need to discuss the future of this house and the estate.”

“…What?”

Hubert seemed to have lost the energy to be angry.

Opal felt that he might be truly despicable, but the conditions she was about to present were unrelated to her character.

“I have no intention of giving up this property during my lifetime. However, I will sell this house and the estate to you at market value.”

“But, it was originally Hubert’s!”

“So what? It’s mine now. This situation is a result of your indulgence. What if Omar couldn’t pay his debts and colluded with loan sharks to do the same?”

When Opal countered the protesting lady with logic, neither she nor Hubert had anything to say.

In fact, this was a relatively good outcome.

Opal’s father, the earl, could have taken Hubert’s property without even marrying Opal.

The current Earl of Holloway certainly didn’t need the title of the duke’s stepfather.

“I will give you a substantial amount of money every month. You could try to save it and buy back the house and the estate. However, it would take an enormous amount of time. Why not try to increase the money?”

“…Increase the money? You mean gambling?”

“Sure, that’s up to you. Gambling or investment. My steward is consulting my father on how to increase my wealth. Where to invest, when to withdraw funds… My father is rumored to be a king who can turn anything he touches into gold.”

“Are you telling me to seek advice from your father—the Earl of Holloway?”

“That’s up to you. You are free to use the money as you wish. However, I don’t think my father would refuse your request. Please consider what I’ve said tonight and give me your answer within five days. I will take my leave now.”

Finally, it was over.

Opal, relieved that the farce was over, left the living room to return to the attic room.

The servants used the back stairs, but Opal used the main staircase to the second floor.

As she passed the master bedroom on the second floor, she saw Stella in her wheelchair in the hallway.

“You are truly a demon. Not only did you take Hubert from me, but you are also trying to take his property and even his home!”

“I’ve already taken it. But I’m a kind demon, so I’m showing you mercy. Don’t be shy; feel free to thank me.”

Opal responded sarcastically to Stella’s accusations.

She was secretly worried about Stella’s health, but it seemed she was fine.

In fact, Stella looked healthy and energetic, clenching her teeth in anger as she glared at Opal.

Thinking that Trevor was right about suggesting a different doctor, Opal smiled and walked past Stella.

When she entered the attic room, the room was warm, the bed had a mattress, and the bedding had been replaced with a feather quilt.

The guest room for Opal was probably also prepared.

Considering that some servants had already made their decisions, Opal lay down on the small but warm bed, feeling the fatigue in her body.